May 22, 2013
The Natural Resources Board meeting in Cable Wednesday voted 6-to-1 in favor of new rules limiting noise from snowmobiles.
The rule allows game wardens to test machines in the field while the engines are idling. Noise cannot exceed 86 decibels.
Board members said they were responding to concerns about loud snowmobiles that have led some landowners to ban the machines for their acreage.
The DNR says new machines and those that are regularly maintained won't have a problem complying with the new rules. However, snowmobile manufacturers argue the Wisconsin rules are too restrictive.
The rule still needs approval from the state legislature.
